Crate conveyer



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June 24, 1952 A ESHELMAN 2,601,507

CRATE CONVEYER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 23. 1949 A I' TQRNEY June 24, 1952 A. L. ESHELMAN 2,601,507

CRATE CONVEYER Filed April 23. 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 A T TORNFY June 24, 1952 A. l.. ESHELMAN CRATE CONVEYER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 25, 1949 be rmly supported in its up-ended position, this position naturally being a very unstable one, to prevent the tipping of the crate by the operations of applying an adhesive and the label.

Normally, the labeling unit of the present invention will be incorporated into a conventional conveyer system as a section or unit of such system. A typical installation embodying a commercially desirable form of the invention comprises a runway along which the boxes or crates are progressed in up-ended position by means of one or more pairs or sets oi' endless belts or chains, the belts or chains of each set being disposed for travel in a horizontal plane on opposite sides of such runway. As previously mentioned, these endless belts or chains are so po- I sitioned relative to the path of the articles that the inner or adjacent runs of each set are xedly spaced apart horizontally a distance which is less than the normal width of a crate. In the case of orange crates, for example, which normally have two compartments separated by a central header or partition, it is usually preferable to provide two such sets of opposed endless chains, one set engaging the crates at substantially the midpoint of the upper compartment while the other set engages it similarly in the lower compartment. The installation may also preferably include a lower supporting track upon which the lower ends of the crates slide as they are advanced by the endless chains, or such track may itself be an endless belt, for example, which is driven in unison with the endless side chains thereby serving to assist in the progression of the articles. It is to be understood, however, that such lower track is not indispensable to the successful operation of a con- Y veyer embodying the present invention, for in many instances the set or sets of opposed side chains will entirely serve to support the crates as well as to advance them. This is especially true where the crates are comparatively light and it is desired to have free access to both ends of the crate for applying labels simultaneously by automatic means to both of such ends.

In the particular example hereinafter illustrated and described, the novel labeler described includes glue applying mechanism operating in timed relation with the advance of the boxes or crates and is designed for manual application of the labels to the up-turned ends of the crates; but it is also possible, of course, to provide means for eecting the application of the labels entirely automatically.

As crates of the type here being considered are usually conveyed while lying in their prone position, this being the most stable condition of course, some provision must be made for upending the crates successively as they arrive at the initial end of the labeling unit. And similarly, means mustralso be provided at the discharge end of such ysection for laying the crates down onto their sides again for further travel on conventional conveyers. These operations may be easily accomplished, for example, by providing a step-down from the conventional conveyer to the runway of the labeling unit at the initial end of the latter so that the crates are deposited thereon in an upright position. At the discharge end of this unit, where the crates are delivered once again to the conventional type of conveyer, a deflector positioned in the path of the advancing crates will serve to tip the crates back into their prone position for further travel.

A further understanding of the operation of Y market.

the present invention will be had from the de tailed description of a particularly suitable commercial form of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a view in plan of the novel crate labeling conveyer section;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation taken along line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view in end elevation taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary views in perspective illustrating certain details of the adhesive applicator shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a view in side elevation of a means for depositing crates in upright position as they arrive at the labeling section;

Fig. 7 is a view in end elevation of the arrangement shown in Fig. 6; and

Figs. 8 and 9 are views in side and end elevation, respectively, of means for tipping the crates back onto their sides after leaving the labeling conveyer section.

The apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings is adapted for the handling of boxes or crates of the type commonly employed for shipping oranges, grapefruit and the like to As has been explained hereinabove. crates of this type are constructed in such manner that their sides, which are of relatively light material, are capable of some bending or flexing intermediate the points at which the side members are nailed or otherwise secured to the crate ends and central divider. In the present instance, the crates, indicated generally at C, consist of end pieces 20, central divider 2l, side members 22 and bottom members 23. As shown in the drawings. crates C are divided into two compartments 24 by partition 2|, and the top or face of the crate, opposite members 23, is left open to permit the fruit to be later packed into the crate. Apparatus for handling the crates during the labeling operation is indicated generally at 25 and comprises a supporting frame work 26 upon which the crate advancing means are mounted. Delivery of theV crates to the labeling unit is provided by means of a conventional endless conveyer 21 by which the crates are advanced on their sides with the open faces all looking in the same direction, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. This delivery conveyer intersects the path of the crates in labeler 25 at right angles and its discharge end is positioned above the lower supporting'run of the crates in the labeling unit so thatthe crates are up-ended as they roll oi the end of conveyer 21. Interference between the crates as they come off the end of conveyer V21 is avoided by positioning the discharge end of the latter above the runway of the labeling unit a distance substantially equal to the height of the crates being handled. A guard rail 28 opposite the discharge point of conveyer 21 further assists in deecting the crates into y upright position as they come off of conveyer 21.

Crates C are thus deposited on a short-run feed conveyer 29 which advances them to labeling unit 25. As thus delivered, the open sides of the crates face in the direction of travel through the labeling unit and sides 22 of the crates are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the unit.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, labeling unit 25 includes pairs or sets of endless chains 30, the chains of each set being disposed on opposite sides of the runway for travel in a horizontal plane. In the particular illustration here shown there are two such sets, one above the other, whose respective planes of travel substantially bisect the upper and lower compartments 24 Aoi crates `C. As crates C are advanced ibyifeed conveyer 29, they Apass between chains 39 of the two sets and are gripped at their sides solas to hold them rigidly in their upright position `as well as' to cause them to be advanced with the chains. In order that successive crates will .be spaced apart from each `other a Asmall distance during their travel through conveyer section 25, this being desirable for the purpose of `facilitating the application of the labels to the 4upper ends ofthe crates, `chains 30 are driven fat Aa linear speed slightly greater than that of feed conveyer 29 so that as the crates are `discharged .from the feed conveyer there is a momentary acceleration which serves to effect the aforesaid fspacin'g of the crates. While in many instances i'twll be iinnecessary to provide any support at the lower ends ofthe crates as `they 4are carried along labeler 25, it is usually .preferable to provide some support, such as conveyer 3| shown 4in the drawings. This conveyer `consists of an endless belt 32 which is driven in unison with Athe side chains 30 and on which the lower ends of the boxes rest as they pass through the label applcating station.

Each side chain 30 is trained about a `pair of sprockets 33, 34, which `.are supported .near the opposite ends of the labeling-sectionlupon shafts 35, 36, respectively. Shafts 35 and 36, din turn, are journaled for rotation in .the vertical plane l in bearing blocks 3l and 39, respectively, mounted on frame 26. As shown more particularly in Fig. 3, chains 3i) are provided with `backing rails 39 which extend along unit 25 the entire distance between sprockets 33 and 34. The rails are supported upon frame 26 by suitable .brackets and are composed of a central wood longeron 40 enclosed at its upper surface :and opposite edges by a wide-webbed channel 4|. `At the inner run 30a of chains 39, the flange of channel 4| serves as a backing for this run of the chains. Rails `39 rare also provided with an angle iron 42 secured along their outer edge which :acts as a supporting track for the outer or return run 30h of the chains. The web of channel 4| is made sufliciently wide so as to act asa guard over the return run of chains 39. As will be seen from the drawings, inner runs 39a in each set of vhorizontally opposed chains 30 are fixedly held in .spaced-apart relation by rails 39 a distance which is appreciably less than the normal width of crates C so that as the crates pass between lchains 39, their sidewalls 22 are deectedinwardlyand theicrates thereby `are securely gripped between the inner runs a of each set of chains 3D. The innerruns 30a present straight virtually .continuous Afaces to the walls of the crates for Acontinuous uniform engagement therewith along parallel lines .of contact. The brackets upon which rails f3.9 are mounted are provided with means, not shown, whereby the rails may be adjusted toward or away from each other across the labeler and then secured to effect the desired amount of delection in sidewalls 22 of the crates.

Endless belt 32 of the lower supporting conveyer 3| is trained about drums 43 and 44 which are secured to horizontally supported shafts 45, 46, respectively, at opposite ends of unit 25. Shafts 45 and 46 are journaled in suitable bearing blocks mounted on frame 26, as are idler rollers 41 which extend transversely across the conveyer as a support for the upper run of belt 32.

Driving power for the apparatus is provided by motor 48 `moufntediori frame 216. Shaft49, which is the main driving-shaft of the funit, is connected to motor 48 by means of a chain and sprocket connection Aconsisting of sprockets 50, 5| and chain 52. Shaft 49 passes through and is journaled in a pair of right-angle drives 53 mounted atop the labeler frame. Shafts 36 are the driving shafts for side chains 30 and are driven from shaft 49 by means of bevel gearingenclosed within the housing of right angle drives 53. Power is also supplied through shaft 49 to the driving drum 44 of the lower supporting eonveyer 3| by means of a sprocket 54.\chain 55 and spocket 56, the driving connection `being such that the speed at which belt 32 travels is the fsameias that of side chains 3D. Power for driving fconveyer 29 isV obtained by a take-offisprock`et 29| secured to shaft 45, and Aa Vdriven spocket 292 on drum A293 through a chain connection 294. As `previously mentioned, it is desired that `conveyer 29 travel at a slightly lower speed than conveyor A3| and this is accomplished by making driven sprocket 293 of slightly larger diameter than its 'driving sprocket 29|.

` It will be apparent lfrom the foregoing that, in operation, crates C are advancediby conveyer 21 and are deposited on -end `on conveyer v29 at the rear of labeling `unit `25 with the `open faces of the crates forward` `From there the crates are advanced by short 'feed conveyer 29 to be picked up by the cooperating side chains 39 and lower supporting conveyor 3|' of the labeling unit. The crates then progress through the labeling unit while held rigidly supported in their upright position Vas they are advanced, -a secure grip being obtained by the slight inward deflection of side members 22 where they are contacted by chains 30.

The means incorporated in the present unit for applying an adhesive or paste to the upper ends of advancing crates C is indicated .generally at 5l in the drawings. As will be seen, the applicator is supported above theinitial end of unit 25 and comprises a paste tank 58 suspended from uprights 59 on frame 26 so as to Ypermit paste to flow by gravity from dispensing outlet valves Gil directly onto the upper surface of a revolving brush Y6|. This brush is of suiiicient length to extend across substantially the full width of crate head 20. Brush 6| is mounted on a vertically adjustable shaft 62 directly over the 4path of the crates and is positioned so thatthe bristles of the brush contact the upper heads v29 of crates C as they pass beneath the brush. In order to properly control the amount -of paste delivered to brush 6|, dispensing valves 69 are cyclically operated `in timed relation to the speed of side chains 3D and lower supporting conveyer 43|. Driving power for both brush 6| and .the operation of valves 66 is obtained `from a take-oir sprocket 63 secured to shaft 4.5 of convey'er 3|. Chain 64 transmits power from sprocket `53 to sprocket 65 which is secured to counter shaft 66, the latter serving as the driving shaft for the adhesive applicating mechanism. Shaft 66 is journaled in bearings 6l on frame 26 and carries a spur gear 68 keyed thereto. A pinion 69 secured to brush shaft 62 meshes with spur 68 to effect the rotation of brush 6|.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, spur gear 68 is provided With a cam lobe 'l0 on its inner surface which engages the roller 'Il carried on one end of rocker arm 12, the latter being pivoted intermediate its ends in a bearing '|3 mounted on frame 26. The opposite end 12a of the rocker arm is connected 4to a push rod 14 to which each of the operating arms 75 of outlet valves 60 are connected. As spur 68 rotates, cam lobe 10 passes under roller 'Il during each revolution causing rocker arm 12 to effect the reciprocation of push rod i4 thereby permitting momentary discharge of the paste from the applicator tank 58 to brush 6|.

An even application of the paste is obtained by providing a plurality of outlets 69 spaced along the extent of brush 6i, but as further assurance of the even application of paste and also in order to prevent the throw-off of excess paste from brush 6l, a guard plate 'I6 (Fig. 2) is provided adjacent brush 6I which is curved downwardly in general conformance with the contour of the brush to a point just above the upper surfaces of crates C as they pass beneath the brush. While the applicator device illustrated in the drawings is arranged to provide for the continuous cyclical discharge of paste onto the brush, this arrangement may easily be modified to provide for the Vactuation of the outlet control valves by the passa-ge of the boxes themselves so that paste will be supplied to the applicator brush only at such times as a box actually enters the labeling unit. Such an arrangement is particularly useful where the supply of boxes fed to the labeler may not be entirely uniform, in which case brush 6l may become overloaded with paste between the passage of one box and the next, resulting in the application of an undesired excess of paste to some of the boxes.

After the application of paste to the heads of the crates, the latter are progressed by the gripping action of side chains 30 for a suitable distance to permit operators to manually apply the labels to the crate heads. Upon leaving labeling unit 25, the boxes are transferred to a suitable endless belt conveyer T, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, for subsequent delivery to the packing stations. Supported above this conveyer from a pair of uprights 18 is a stationary defiector 'I9 consisting of a contact bar 80 which depends into the path of upper ends lof crates C. As the crates are advanced, they contact bar 80 and are tipped backwardly, to deposit them on their bottoms 23 so that they are thereafter advanced in their reclined position with the open face of the crates extending upwardly.

Various modifications of the labeling unit within the scope of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. As mentioned previously, the use of a lower supporting conveyer is not necessary in many cases. 1n some instances, also, it may not be necessary to employ a double set of side chains as in the present example, although in the case of boxes, such as the lemon or orange crates described more particularly hereinabove, the multiple sets are preferred inasmuch as a very rm grip can be had on the crates without at the same time encountering the disadvantage of excessive pressure at any one point, thus causing a rupture of the side members. 1t is possible also that, in place of the laterally disposed gripping chains, endless belts or a series of short, vertically journaled rollers or drums at each side of the labeler may be employed to support and advance the boxes or crates. In all cases, however, it is essential that the engaging surfaces of the advancing means employed shall be substantially permanently fixed apart a distance which is appreciably less than the normal Width of the particular box for which the apparatus is designed, so that by far the greater part of the accommodating action which takes place as the boxes pass between the vadvancing means must and does occur inthe walls of the boxes themselves.

What is claimed is:

A conveyor mechanism adapted for use with labeling devices which exert label-applying pressures vat right angles to the path of travel of an up-ended crate to be labelled, said crates comprising rigid end and intermediate walls interconnected by resilient side walls, the combination of: means adapted to advance crates in upended position along a selected path of travel; and drive means for said advancing means; said advancing means comprising pairs of vertically spaced endless chain conveyor means, each pair of said conveyor means lying in the same plane and being disposed on opposite sides of the path of travel of said crates; rigid members supporting said chain conveyor means along the entire length of opposedlays in unyielding parallel relation; ,straight virtually continuous faces on said opposed lays of each pair of chain conveyor means for continuous uniform engagement with resilient walls of said crates and along parallel lines of contacts; said faces bein-g spaced apart a distance less than the normal lateral width of a crate, said crates being maintained in vertical up-ended position by outwardly directed pressure of said resilient wallsagainst said unyielding chain conveyor means.

ALVTN LENHERT ESI-IELMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

v UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

